Grass Demon

Grass Demon

Udaspes folus ( Cramer) HESPERIIDAE

Adult uperside blackish brown. FW with 9 semi-transparent yellowish white spots. HW with a large semi-transparent yellowish white patch in the middle. Underside FW as above. HW with the white patch bordered with dark brown streak extending to the base and the outer margin mostly grayish white. Wingspan 40-48mm.

Distributed throughout India. Flies low in the shades and settles on stones near water source and on freshly dropped cowdung. Often basks in the early morning hours with HW fully expanded and FW partially opened.

Larva

Slug-like, bluish green with black head, constricted neck, yellow anterior segments (2,3) and white last segment, 2 white dots at two thirds distance from the anterior side and white mealy patches ventrally between the legs.

Feeds by folding the leaves of Ginger, Turmeric, Mango Ginger, Wild Turmeric, Arrowroot, Cardamom, Shell-flower, Ginger Lily, Wild Lilies, Drug Melegueta Pepper, Black Zedoary, Zedoary and many other plants of Zingiberaceae, Scitaminae and Grasses often known as the Turmeric leafroller.

Distribution

Throughout the Oriental and Australian regions.